Thailand Summer Volunteer Program 2015 - 2016

The ‘Summer Special’ is the ultimate way for the first time traveler and experienced adventurers alike to explore Thailand responsibly. Join us for a bustling weekend in Bangkok where you will see the best sights, experience the fun night life and help support the city’s poorest communities. Then watch the countryside roll by as you journey to the Elephant Capital, Surin. Here you will discover the importance of Surin’s beautiful Silk trade and then get some amazing ‘face to trunk’ time, living amongst Elephants as part of one of Thailand’s friendliest communities.

Next it’s time to support the Surin community, working at a local project to help the community. Before heading back to Bangkok, it’s time to challenge yourself by trekking through one of Thailand’s most beautiful National Parks in true Indiana Jones fashion. We’re then off back to Bangkok as it’s now time to bid a sad farewell – or is it? If you’re not ready to leave just yet, why not join us for a 7 day party on the beautiful beaches of Koh Pangnan!

All the elements for a very special summer, indeed.

Surin Facts

LocationSurin

Arrival airportBangkok (BKK)

CurrencyThai Baht

Population50000

LanguageThai

Time ZoneUTC + 07:00

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What our Volunteers say

I absolutely loved my trip, was easily the best trip I have ever experienced. I wish I could do it again but I wanna go to a different country with Volunteering Solutions.

Keenan Romain

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Thailand Summer Volunteer Program Schedule

Duration: 3 weeks

Start dates: 26 June, 10 July, 24 July, 7 August 2015

Working hours: 4-5 hours, 5 days (Monday to Friday)

Weekends: Travel/Sightseeing included in Cost

Friday - First Day of Program - Orientation Session- Welcome to Thailand, introduction to the program in Bangkok, safety issues, basic culture and history about Thailand. Also learn about your program schedule and tour program to follow.

Minimum Age requirement: 17 Years

Program Highlights

Tour of the highlights of Bangkok.

Shop for amazing bargains at the South East Asia’s biggest outdoor market, Chattuchak

Live and work amongst Elephants in a traditional Thai village.

Volunteer alongside a real Thai community on projects that matter to them.

Jungle Trek through the beautiful National Park of Khao Yai

Optional 7 day extension on the stunning, party island capital of Thailand, Koh Pangnan

Fully guided (except optional beach extension) and supported by the friendliest team in Thailand

Summer Program Itinerary

Day 1 Arrival: Let us take the hassle away from you by arranging a private pick up from the airport direct to your hotel. Relax for the evening or venture out onto Khao San Road on your own for a taste of what’s to come. You can tell us all about it tomorrow morning!

Day 2
After breakfast your Guide will discuss your itinerary with you. Expect to take in the sights, sounds and smells of Bangkok on your first full day in this bustling city. We will go into detail on every aspect of your trip, from cultural faux pas and essential phrases, to the day to day logistics of getting from ‘A to B’. For the 'Grand Bangkok Tour'. You will be guided through the busy city streets, and experience canal life, to arrive at the most sacred temple in Thailand, The Grand Palace (Wat Phra Kaew). Also on the tour are the incredible Wat Pho and Wat Arun which are both must-see attractions – don’t forget your camera. Allow your personal 'font of knowledge' guide inform you of their historical significance and any other questions you might have. In the evening we’ll have a ‘welcome meal’ introducing you to one of the highlight of Thailand – the food!

Day 3
Ready to shop for souvenirs? Chattuchak or JJ is the largest open air market in South East Asia where everything from fish to statues, t-shirts to paintings, DVDs to ‘antiques’ can be haggled for. Spend a day exploring this glorious market of everything and anything. You’re sure to find a bargain or three and the food-stalls are awesome.

Day 4
Today you’ll put a little bit back into Bangkok by volunteering at a local temple school. Get your creative juices flowing to put together fun English activities for local children all dying to get to practice their speaking with you. Lots of fun and a great opportunity to see the ‘local’s’ Bangkok.

Day 5
Today it’s time to leave Bangkok for now and head to Surin. The journey takes around 6-7 hours and takes you through Bangkok’s suburbs, through the edges of a National Park and eventually into a seemingly never ending view of rice fields, palm trees and villages. This IS Thailand! Once you arrive in the town we’ll get you checked into your hotel and then it’s time for a local orientation and a little bit of relaxtion.

Day 6 - 9As a volunteer on this project you will instantly become a part of the community. During this time period, volunteers will work with elephants and accommodation will be provided with host family. You will be expected to help out with the daily chores which include preparing and cooking three meals each day, helping out with small community-based projects and more. In addition, you will help to care for the elephants on a daily basis.

The elephants are a never ending source of work - they need feeding, washing and heaps of love and care. You may then need to take them on a walk through the surrounding area and to the river for a swim. Whilst at the river you could be asked to help catch fish for lunch or even head off for a kayak trip. Each evening the elephants need preparing for sleep. They need another wash, more f

ood and a big hug! You can help with all of this – an unforgettable experince. On the way back from the Elephant Village on Day 9, you will visit a local Silk Village. Surin is not only famous for it’s elephants and rice but also for the high quality of the silk produced in the region and this is a great opportunity to see this centuries old tradition.

In the evening of Day 9, give your taste buds a real adventure by exploring Surin’s night market. With a huge array of food – ranging from Thai classics to something for only the most adventurous – get ready for some serious spice and incredible food.

Day 10
Today you are free to explore Surin on your own or simply relax. Our guides can help recommend various activities for you to do.

Day 11 - 15
5 days volunteering at a local temple childcare centre. Learn about and help at this Day Care centre for young children and play a part in the on-going development of the centre.With a combination of working with the children (activities / basic language / arts and craft) and renovation / development this is a great opportunity to give something back to the local Surin community.

Day 16 / 17
You’ve had a hard few days on the volunteer project so enjoy a weekend of rest and relaxation back in Surin. Your guide and the full-time Surin team will be able to suggestions of places to visit and things to do and Surin town itself has lots of places to explore and enjoy the ‘heart’ of Thailand.

Day 18
Check out of your hotel and travel with us to the beautiful National park of Khao Yai. Spend time relaxing at your hotel before your Jungle adventure tomorrow.

Day 19
Spend the day trekking through the Jungle with our expert guides. This will be an adventure!. Visit some beautiful waterfalls and stunning scenic view from Pha Daew Dai lookout. Khao Yai is a natural choice for a Wild Watch adventure so bring your camera along as you might glimpse some of the world’s most amazing animals in their natural habitats. No, we don’t mean the staff!

Day 20
Take the train or coach back to the Big Mango for one last party where it all started. It’s been a memorable journey so far, and tonight is an opportunity for you to celebrate everything you’ve achieved and bid farewell to our team and your new friends.

Day 21
Our team will help you with everything you need to prepare for your journey back home. However if you’re not ready to head home just yet – grab the overnight coach with us to Koh Pangnan for another week of partying and relaxing on the beach. Cost for Beach Week Extension is $295 / £207 / €245

BEACH WEEK EXTENSION (OPTIONAL)

If you’re choosing the beach extension option (and why not – the beaches of Thailand are rightly famous not only for their beauty but also some of the best parties around) your itinerary will be as follows (NOTE: The beach extension week is unguided but all travel tickets and accommodation are provided and your guide will give you all the information you need BEFORE you head off!)

Day 21
In the evening you’ll board a coach and head off to the South of Thailand.

Day 22
Early in the morning you’ll transfer to the ferry to Koh Phangan – arriving at the pier of this stunning island around mid-morning. Your accommodation will send a local taxi (like a pick up truck with seats in the back) to meet you and get your checked in and to start your beach experience.

Days 23 - 28
Spend the next 6 days relaxing, snorkelling, exploring or partying – it really is up to you. There are lots of tours and excursion easily booked through the local accommodation or just grab a bottle of water and head off to explore.

Day 29
Sorry – it’s time to check out and leave this paradise. Onwards tickets are not included – you may decide that beach life is for you and hang out a little more, explore Thailand further or, unfortunately be heading home. Whatever you choose, your accommodation will be able to advise you on the best way to travel.

Cost for Beach Week Extension is $295 / £207 / €245

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Living and Other Arrangements

As a VolSol volunteer you are provided with best of living standards available in Thailand. Our dedicated coordinator and staff will assist you with your airport pick up, stay, meals and even weekend sightseeing and travel. Arrive in peace and have the best time of your life.

Airport Receive/ Transfer

Volunteers are picked up from the Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok by the local coordinator or representative on your program start date between 6am - 10pm.

Orientation

All volunteers are provided with an orientation and brief about your trip during the summer. The Orientation session covers areas like, local Thai culture, greetings, locations, transportation etc. Volunteers are also given a city Tour of Bangkok.

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Lodging

Volunteers are provided accommodation in a Guesthouse/ hotel for two nights in Bangkok on arrival (Friday and Saturday). In Surin, lodging will be in one of our three volunteer houses where accommodation is shared with other volunteers. The houses are centrally located and close to shopping, ATM’s, restaurants and more.

Local Transportation

Daily transportation to and from the project placement to the volunteer house is provided to the volunteers.

During your Free Time

In Surin there are many local bars, shops and restaurants in the town plus a night food market. The city is an extremely safe place to stay. Surin province once belonged to the Khmer empire (now Cambodia) so you’ll find scattered ancient temples from the same period as the temples of Angkor in Cambodia. The land border crossing in to Cambodia is located just an hour from Surin and is easily accessible from the town’s bus station. This accessibility allow volunteers to travel to Cambodia during weekends.

Start / Arrival Dates

Summer Special Thailand 2015 - 2016

Jun

Jul

Aug

2015

26

10, 24

07

2016

24

08, 22

05

Thailand Summer Special Program Cost

Volunteering Solutions strives hard to keep costs low and offers one of the most affordable volunteer abroad programs. Compare our prices and services to other organizations and you would be surprised to see the difference.

Thailand - STAFF PROFILE

Nam has been working with international volunteers in Thailand since 2009. She has the experience of working with over 1000 volunteers from around the world in Thailand. Nam manages the operations in Surin along with 6 other support staff who work under her
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